History of the Port of Igoumenitsa
Although the region of Thesprotia has been inhabited since prehistoric times, there are no archaeological findings to support the existence of settlements in the present area of Igoumenitsa and its port.
The geographical position of the city, as a port, attracted the interest of shipowners. They included Igoumenitsa in their routes, approaching it twice a week.
In 1925, the residents requested that the port be connected by road to the city of Ioannina, and in 1928 the government decided to develop the Port of Igoumenitsa. With Compulsory Law 353 of 1936, the Prefecture of Thesprotia was established with Igoumenitsa as its capital. The port acquired a small breakwater and a shed for the storage of goods.
The situation remained the same until 1950, when it was decided to connect Greece and Italy by ferry, on the route Patras – Igoumenitsa – Corfu – Brindisi. The port development works were completed in 1960.
Until 1996, this natural port at the end of the Igoumenitsa bay was defined by two piers — one to the north and one to the south. The northern pier was 100 meters long and 30 meters wide. It was where the ferries operating on the Greece–Italy line docked.
The southern pier was 100 meters long and 125 meters wide and was the main pier of the port. It served both ferries on the Greece–Italy line and tankers or cargo ships arriving at the port.
Between the two piers there was a quay zone about 480 meters long. Along the quay, daily cruise boats and excursion vessels docked, operating the Corfu–Igoumenitsa line, as well as tourist and fishing boats (mainly on the northern coastal zone).
This port is today known as the “Old Port,” which served both domestic and international routes.
